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First leg: Clinical India end Dutch winning streak
India and Netherlands played out another close game of hockey under a scorching sun in Bhubaneswar, with 60 minutes proving inadequate to separate the two sides, requiring a shoot-out; where the young Dutch players finally got the better of their experienced Indian counterparts.
The match started off with a complete turnaround of fortunes for India, who had to endure a lot of pressure on their goal in the first quarter last evening. It took them a total of 34 seconds to get their first goal today, as their attack from the starting whistle led to a penalty corner that was deflected by a Dutch defender and then turned in by Rajwinder in front of the goal. It was a perfect start for India, and not what Netherlands were looking for after a close loss in the previous game. India, confident from the goal, took control of the game and their high press turned the ball over, often in the Dutch half.
For Netherlands, it felt like a repeat of last evening as they piled up a whole host of circle entries, but each time it amounted to very little, as the Indian defence made sure it didn’t leave any passing lanes open for the Dutch strikers to make the final pass that would open up opportunities to score.
The 4th quarter however saw the match swing again as Netherlands, desperate for an equalizer, started instituting a high press of their own. They finally managed to hassle and harry the Indian defence into conceding possession in their own half, and it led to a slew of penalty corners for the Dutch, as the Indian defence started showing signs of fatigue.
Savita though kept the Indian lead intact with save after save from the penalty corners, but the Dutch were unrelenting. They finally got a goal back through captain Yibbi Jansen in the 54th minute, who finally got a lot of power behind one of her flicks and Savita couldn’t react in time to stop the ball sailing over her right shoulder.
India had an instant opportunity to strike back though as they won a penalty corner of their own from the restart, and Gurjit, who had also been having trouble getting power behind her drag flicks, finally got one flying towards the Dutch goal, but the shot that looked destined to restore India’s lead, hit the post and Netherlands breathed a sigh of relief.
The regular time expired without either team creating a big opportunity and the teams headed for a shoot-out that the Dutch clinched rather easily. For an inexperienced squad that came to India, that meant celebrations at the end while India too had positives to take out of the fixtures.
— Via FIH Media
5.55 pm: Update from FIH regarding India vs England (women) Pro League fixtures:
FIH Pro League (women) matches between England and India, initially scheduled on 2 and 3 April in Bhubaneswar, India, but postponed due to a high number of COVID cases and injuries affecting the English team, will unfortunately be cancelled, eventually.
Indeed, despite all efforts from The Hockey India, England Hockey and FIH, no dates could be found to reschedule the matches in India. Consequently, it has been agreed between the FIH and the 2 nations that the 6 points available for these 2 matches will be awarded to India
Points table: India would have gone top of the table if they had won today but they are still right there on the top.
A tie that showed the strength of the Dutch system. A very young side but they pushed India hard in both matches. India, on their part, defended well in both matches but they will want more going forward.
Shootout: IND 1-3 NED
Rajwinder misses and it is the Dutch that get the bonus point. India get one point from the match.
Shootout: IND 1-3 NED
India have no referrals left. Barentsen scores after the whistle was gone.
Shootout: IND 1-2 NED
Navneet takes her time and then lifts the ball over the goalkeeper.
Shootout: IND 0-2 NED
Savita came out a little more than usual but Morgenstern sent it wide too.
Shootout: IND 0-2 NED
Neha sends it wide!
Shootout: IND 0-2 NED
Fortuin with a next extension and finish.
Shootout: IND 0-1 NED
India’s Jyoti fails to score and India lose a referral too.
Shootout: IND 0-1 NED
The Dutch won the toss and decided to go first. Jansen scores.
Q4: IND 1-1 NED
We are heading to the shootout and more drama! Bonus point at stake.
Q4: IND 1-1 NED
One minute to go. Can anyone find a winner? India on the defensive. Netherlands on the attack.
Q4: IND 1-1 NED
India get a PC at the other end and so unlucky. Brilliant flick by Gurjit and it slammed into the crossbar. So, so close to retaking the lead.
Q4: IND 1-1 NED
GOAL!!!! Finally the Dutch score. It looked like it was coming but this time the difference was that instead of playing it along the ground, Jansen flicked it high. Six minutes left for either side to find a winner.
Q4: IND 1-0 NED
Another PC right after the break for the Dutch and another good save for Savita, who has been pretty immense for India today.
Q4: IND 1-0 NED
Time for another water break. The Dutch will have 7 and a half minutes to get another goal. They are creating the chances. India are defending well but at some point will the pressure tell?
Q4: IND 1-0 NED
N deflection and it goes just wide. The Dutch going down the middle channel again. The PCs haven’t really worked for them.
Q4: IND 1-0 NED
No reason to change the decision. A PC it is. The Dutch lose their referral.
Q4: IND 1-0 NED
A foot led to another PC and then other. The Dutch though are looking for a stroke. They refer the decision.
Q4: IND 1-0 NED
Another PC for the Dutch. What pressure this is!
Q4: IND 1-0 NED
Savita to the rescue. Kicks it onto the oncoming defender as well. Danger averted but the Dutch have started well.
Q4: IND 1-0 NED
Monika, stationed at the post, saw that right onto the stick and helped it out. Well done but the Dutch earn another PC soon after.
Q4: IND 1-0 NED
A PC for the Dutch. Here we go. Not much that Navjot could have done about it.
Q4: IND 1-0 NED
The final quarter has begun and the Dutch, who are playing in blue, are already showing that they are going to attack till the final second.
Q3 ends: IND 1-0 NED
India still lead but it is a slender lead. The hosts have defended well but the Dutch are starting to get closer and closer. 15 minutes left in the match for the Dutch to try and get something out of this tie.
Q3: IND 1-0 NED
Good defensive work by the Dutch first and then by the Indians. The game is starting to really open up.
Q3: IND 1-0 NED
Drinks break due to the extreme hot weather. India doing the right things and the Dutch haven’t truly been able to express themselves in Q3.
Q3: IND 1-0 NED
India moving the ball well with short passes and finding some rhythm. Some movement in the direction of the Dutch goal now.
Q3: IND 1-0 NED
India didn’t have any shots in the second half from open play yesterday and only one shot in the match so far. Schopman will want that to change for sure.
Q3: IND 1-0 NED
The second half is underway. India need to start getting a few more shots off. The Dutch will want to finish their moves better.
HT: IND 1-0 NED
Quick look at the HT stats. India have more of the ball but the Dutch have done more with it.
HT: IND 1-0 NED
And that is the end of the first half. India still ahead but the Dutch have asked a lot of questions of Indian skipper and goalkeeper Savita. A chance of the teams to sit back and take stock of how things are.
Q2: IND 1-0 NED
Three big saves by Savita in the space of a minute. The Dutch are starting to trouble the Indian goalkeeper a lot now. Really positive play.
Q2: IND 1-0 NED
Schoman shouting from the sidelines... ‘Pressure, pressure’. The Dutch are creating much more than India at the moment and the hosts need to be careful here.
Q2: IND 1-0 NED
Time for another water break. India have been solid at the back. The Dutch still looking for rhythm but that isn’t easy to find with so many new players in the squad.
Q2: IND 1-0 NED
Steady play by both teams but no clear chances yet. The Dutch had a lot of circle penetrations yesterday and that is happening today as well but the last ball hasn’t quite come together.
Q2: IND 1-0 NED
Q2 begins after a long that usual water break. India have been very good from their PCs and the Dutch would like a few of their own as well.
Q1 ends: IND 1-0 NED
Q1 comes to an end. Very competitive. India got the early goal (38 seconds) but the Dutch have more than held their own.
Q1: IND 1-0 NED
Two mins left in Q1. The Indian defence holding firm even as the Dutch try to increase the pace of the game.
Q1: IND 1-0 NED
Play begins again and India are employing a high press. The Dutch manage to break through and create a half-chance right in front of India’s goal. It just went a little wide.
Q1: IND 1-0 NED
Gurjit Kaur puts it up and over and almost immediately after, there is the water break because of the extreme heat.
Q1: IND 1-0 NED
Yesterday, India had begun passively but this is a much better start. And the Indian team has another PC. Good work on the right hand side.
Q1: IND 1-0 NED
Both teams trying to make the ball do most of the work. On a day like this, it has to. But that doesn’t mean the team’s are just sitting back – they are showing a lot of hustle in the middle.
Q1: IND 1-0 NED
GOAL! Nothing came out of the first PC but it led to another one. Multiple deflections but Rajwinder Kaur, playing only her fourth match for the senior team, managed to deflect it in. Good reactions and a great start to the match for India.
Q1: IND 0-0 NED
India have a PC inside the opening 20 seconds. A quick move and a good start for India.
National anthems done: A short turnaround for both teams. Just 18 hours between the two matches and that might be a factor today given the heat. Still, the teams played out a very exciting match yesterday and one hopes we see more of the same today. This is India’s last home game till June.
Janneke Schopman: We know what we need to do in these conditions. No point complaining about it. We have our hydration strategies in place.
The afternoon heat: If the heat yesterday wasn’t enough, today will be another challenge. The afternoon game between the top two teams in the points table will see extra one minute breaks during each quarter. It is already 40 degrees C.
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the second leg of the tie between India and the Netherlands. On Friday, India registered their first win against the Netherlands in over a decade with a clinical 2-1 win thanks to their efficient attacking performance backed by their usually stellar defence. It was a pretty inexperienced Dutch team but they still put up a good fight. Expect more of the same today.
Screenshots courtesy: Disney+Hotstar / FIH